Can't Fight Fate

Chapter nine

Dylan

Most of the dinner was uneventful, but I couldn't help but think about the stalker that she mentioned. Did she really have someone stalking her or was that the tequila talking? The look on Eli's face told me there really was someone, but why wouldn't they tell me what happened? I shook the thoughts out of my mind, knowing that if it were something serious, someone would have told me. At least, that's what I believed. The small chatter kept going while I ate as they asked me question after question about school, football, work and the house. They talked to Raegan about her engagement to Levi, which was quite entertaining because at one point she didn’t even know what they were talking about. Maybe Tristian was right, there was more to this engagement than meets the eye.

By the time dinner was done, the girls were all plastered. Every single one of them and, of course, we took care of them and I was stuck taking care of Raegan. What I didn’t expect was how flirtatious she got when she was drunk.

“I think it’s time to get this one home. I also have an early day tomorrow.” I went over and grabbed Raegan’s sweater and her flats to help her get ready so I could put her in the car.

“What’s going on tomorrow?” Dad asked.

“I have a meeting with the contractor and then I’m heading to the administration building to get my schedule for work.” I turned back to Raegan after helping her put on her flats and was met with a soft smile. She brought her hand up and ran her fingers through my hair and, god, that felt amazing. I closed my eyes at the sudden touch, holding my breath.

“Your hair is so soft.”

“Uh, thanks.”

“Your eyes are pretty. They’re greener than I remember.”

“Always been the same green.”

“Your girlfriend must love looking at you.”

I rolled my eyes at her, “Take your phone out and unlock it for me please?” I asked her.

“Why?”

“So I can call your fiancé to meet us at your house so he can take care of you.” I rolled my eyes again. She kept running her fingers through my hair. She needed to stop. I took her hand and placed it back in front of us, “Please, take your phone out.”

“Why can’t you take care of me? You’re already here. Plus, I missed you.”

“Phone Raegan. Please.” She rolled her eyes and unlocked her phone and handed it to me.

“I won’t tell your girlfriend you helped me.”

“Ray, phone.” She huffed and slammed it into my waiting hand.

Fuck.

What the hell was this?

Her background on her phone was a quote from One Tree Hill. I remember her obsessing over this show when we were growing up. I used to watch them as well. I had no idea why I did, but I did. I remember the episode this quote came from and I couldn’t help but look at her a little bit differently.

“Life’s too short to play games. If you love somebody and you want to be with them, then go get them. Deal with the mess later. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring.” Haley, OTH.

I looked at it a little too long before I went to her contacts and paused. Did I really want to call her fiancé? This was a chance when I could take care of her right now. A part of me wanted to be that person for her but I knew it was wrong. I was determined to be a better man, so I did what I had to do.

“Hey Raegan.” A voice came on the phone. He seemed a little preoccupied, out of breath of sorts, like he rushed to the phone.

“Levi?” I asked.

“Um, who’s this? Where’s Raegan?”

“Sorry, this is Dylan. I know we don’t know each other but we are at my mom and dad’s. I’ll be bringing her home and she’s well, plastered to say the least and she needs you to come over and take care of her.”

“Tequila?” He chuckled.

“Uh, yeah.”

“I see. Well, unfortunately I can’t tonight. I’m well, occupied. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Um, I don’t see why you can’t drop what you’re doing and take care of your drunk fiancé.” I was getting annoyed at this point and it showed in my voice. The adults paused and looked at me, waiting for more of the conversation. I looked back up at Raegan and her eyes were wide, but it looked like she was more surprised. “She is technically your responsibility since you put the ring on her finger. When she needs you, you’re supposed to be there for her. And right now, she is beyond plastered and needs her damn fiancé home to help her.”

“Dylan, trust me when I say this, I wish I could help her, but I can’t tonight.”

“What is so damn important that you can’t?”

He groaned, just making me even more pissed off. What the f**k is wrong with this dude? If he truly loved her and cared for her, he would drop what he was doing and be there. Any guy with the right mind would. I would. “I just can’t. I’m sorry. When she wakes up tomorrow, let her know I will see her at the engagement party on Saturday.”

“So you’re not going to see her for three days? What kind of s**t is that?” my anger was rising and when I got pissed I couldn’t hold my tongue. “She’s fuckin drunk and delirious and you’re supposed to be taking care of her.”

“Just take her home. Trust me.” And he hung up. I went to raise my hand and chuck the phone until I remembered it was not mine. All eyes were on me as I calmed my breathing. At this point, when I looked up at Raegan, she was leaning on the table, head rested on her arm, sleeping. When the hell did she fall asleep? She was just awake a couple of moments ago.

“What did he say?” Eli asked, coming over to help me lift her. I shook my head, bending over and picking her up so I could carry her. Her head landed softly on my shoulder and she nuzzled into my neck and her arms wrapped around me.

“You smell good.” She muttered, making me chuckle.

“He’s apparently busy. Too busy to take care of her and he said he would be there for their engagement party. When were you guys going to tell me about that?” No one said a word, “Whatever. I’m going home. Thanks for dinner mom. It was delicious.”

“Sorry we didn’t tell you sweetie. It slipped my mind to say anything with all the planning, but please, come.” Mom came over and gave me a small kiss on my cheek.

“I don’t know. I might be busy.”

“It would mean the world for her to see you there at your engagement party.” Bella slurred through the tequila. She hiccupped and paused for a moment, “No, not your engagement party, hers to Levi, yeah, Levi.”

I rolled my eyes as I carried her to my car with Tristian, Eli and dad on my tail. Tristian opened the door so I could put her down and buckle her in. I took one more good look at her before shutting the door. Her smile grew on her face as she muttered something under her breath which sounded like my name. I waited to see if I could understand more, but nothing.

“He’s going to get his ass kicked.” Eli said behind me. I turned to them, shut the door and shrugged my shoulders.

“You always turn to violence. It’s not healthy. It’s a wonder how your kids didn’t turn out violent. Oh, that’s right, because you can’t actually hurt a damn fly if you wanted to.” Tristian laughed.

“Like you’re one to talk, Mr. tough guy.” Dad teased.

“I’m giving him a pass. We will see what happens this weekend. When is the party?”

“Saturday. Sorry we didn’t tell you. We were going to, it just slipped.” Dad said.

“Whatever. I’m going home.”

“Dyl, just please, take care of her.” Eli asked. There is something more going on but I didn’t want to push it, not tonight. I nodded and headed to the driver’s side.

Carrying her and having her cuddle into me felt natural, it felt right. I didn’t want to let her go, but she wasn’t mine to take care of, she wasn’t mine at all. Some other guy has her and I will forever kick myself in the ass for it. I brought her to her room and sat her on the bed, lifting her slightly to take off her sweater and taking off her shoes so I could tuck her in. I sat next to her on the bed, just looking down.

She looked peaceful, beautiful, relaxed and there was nothing more that I wanted to do than to stay with her tonight. I bent down and gave her a small kiss on her forehead. A part of me knows that I would always be here to take care of her, no matter what, but I would never tell her that. I would make sure of it, whether it’s someone special to her or just as friends. She is one that will forever be in my life.

“I’m sorry I was too late.” I whispered, taking my hand and brushing the hair from her face.

“Don’t leave me.” She muttered, slightly opening her eyes, “Stay with me.”

“I’m not Levi.” She blinked a couple of times, focusing on my face.

“I know. Stay with me Dylan.” I was about to open my mouth until her phone rang. I looked at the clock and groaned at the fact that someone was calling at eleven at night. I picked it up without looking at the caller ID, expecting it to be Levi.

“Listen fucker, she’s home and she’s safe, no thanks to you. When we meet, we’re going to have some words.”

“Um…who the hell is this and why do you have Raegan’s phone?” a female’s voice came on the phone. I froze, not expecting that.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t look at the caller ID. I thought Levi was calling. This is Dylan.”

“Ah, Dylan. Nice to officially talk to you. I’m Summer, her roommate. I’m glad to know Ray is okay. What happened?”

“Um, tequila happened.”

She laughed, “Of course it did. Can you do me a favor and pick me up from the airport? I guess she forgot my flight came tonight.”

“Uh, yeah, I’ll be right there.”

“Good. We need to talk.”